The Red Ribbon, Tanghe River Park

Much of the original site, located at the edge of a beach, was used as a garbage dump and included deserted slums and irrigation facilities. The site was unkempt and largely inaccessible, so mostly deserted.

Instead of paving over the riverfront with hard pavement and ornamental flower beds, the design uses a “red ribbon” steel structure stretching 500 meters along the riverbank. The idea was to provide access for jogging, fishing, and swimming with minimal intervention in the landscape.

The Red Ribbon snakes along a boardwalk, providing walking access throughout the park. Many of the park visitors are former farmers and “newly urbanized.” The park provides helps maintains visitors’ environmental connection with rural China.